Thousands re-enact Battle of Nations in Germany

Troops march in front of a burning house during the reconstruction of the Battle of the Nations at the 200th anniversary near Leipzig, central Germany, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

BERLIN — About 6,000 history buffs have re-enacted the Battle of Nations in Leipzig to mark the 200th anniversary of the largest battle in Europe prior to World War I.

The German news agency dpa reported that about 30,000 onlookers watched participants from 24 countries dressed up in historic military costumes as they re-enacted combat situations between infantrymen, cavalrymen and artillery units.

The original battle involved about 500,000 soldiers and pitted the coalition armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden and England against the French army outside of Leipzig in 1813.

It ended in a defeat of the French army which sealed the end of Napoleon's hegemony over Europe.

About 90,000 people died on the battlefields outside of Leipzig.

Troops march during the reconstruction of the Battle of the Nations at the 200th anniversary near Leipzig, central Germany, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story